The outstanding Oscar Whisky(7g Oscar-Ash Baloo, by Phardante) justified 1/5 favouritism when winning the G2 Relkeel Hurdle at Cheltenham on Saturday to enjoy his 13th success in 17 starts.

Nicky Henderson’s star finished 19 lengths clear of Crack Away Jack in the two and a half mile contest and debate continued after the race about whether the 2m G1 Champion Hurdle or 3m G1 Ladbrokes World Hurdle would be a more suitable target at the 2013 Cheltenham Festival.

Henderson seemed to be favouring the longer contest and told PA Sport: “Barry (Geraghty) and I both just said when he wins like that how can he not stay three miles. I’m not saying we’re going down the three-mile route but I’m sure there was something wrong with him that day in March (in the 2012 World Hurdle). He can come here again in January and go to Ffos Las but if the entries closed for Cheltenham tomorrow goodness knows what we’d put him in.”

Oscar Whisky, who was bred by Stephanie Hanly, was continuing a tremendous run for Oscar, who also had an exciting novice hurdle winner on Saturday at Doncaster in the Kim Bailey-trained Midnight Oscar (5g Oscar-Midnight Light, by Roselier).